Search Alpena County DUI Records

Alpena County DUI records document OWI arrests and court cases processed through the 26th Circuit Court and 88th District Court, both located at 720 Chisholm Street in Alpena. These records are public under Michigan law and accessible through court portals, the statewide ICHAT database, and direct requests to county offices. This page explains where to search, what you can find, and how local courts handle drunk driving cases.

Courts That Handle OWI Cases in Alpena County

Alpena County has two courts involved in OWI cases. The charge level determines which court takes the case. First and second OWI offenses are misdemeanors and go to the 88th District Court. A third OWI conviction or any OWI that causes serious injury or death is a felony. Felony charges go to the 26th Circuit Court.

Both courts share the same building at 720 Chisholm Street, Suite 4, in Alpena. That address handles everything from arraignment through sentencing. Call 989-354-9655 for both courts. The county maintains court information at alpenacounty.org/courts/circuit-court/.

Michigan OWI law falls under MCL 257.625. The statute covers standard OWI at BAC 0.08% or higher, Super Drunk at BAC 0.17% or higher, Operating While Visibly Impaired (OWVI) under MCL 257.625(3), and the under-21 zero-tolerance rule at BAC 0.02% or higher. Each offense level carries different penalties and affects the driving record differently.

Michigan removed the 10-year lookback rule in 2007. All prior OWI convictions count, no matter how old. Someone with two past OWI convictions faces a felony charge on a third arrest even if the prior offenses were decades ago. This is different from how many other states handle repeat OWI offenses.

Online Tools for Searching Alpena County OWI Records

The state provides two main online databases. One is free. One costs $10. Each serves a different purpose, and knowing which to use saves time.

MiCOURT Case Search (Free): The MiCOURT portal covers all 83 Michigan counties. Search by name or case number. OWI cases appear with specific charge codes. Look for OD for OWI with drugs, SD for Super Drunk, and FD for felony drunk driving. The system updates regularly and shows case status, hearing dates, and basic case details at no cost.

ICHAT Criminal History ($10): ICHAT is the state's criminal history database. A $10 fee applies per search. Results show a person's full Michigan criminal history across all counties, including OWI arrests, charges, and final dispositions. OWI convictions are permanent on this record. ICHAT is useful when you need a complete history rather than just one case lookup.

Alpena County Sheriff FOIA Requests

The Alpena County Sheriff's Office keeps arrest records for OWI incidents in the county. You can request copies under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, MCL 15.231. Submit a written FOIA request to the sheriff's office at 320 Johnson Street in Alpena.

The agency has 5 business days to respond to a FOIA request. They can grant it, deny it with a reason, or request an extension. Arrest reports, incident narratives, breath test records, and booking documents are the most common OWI-related records requested. The sheriff handles incidents in unincorporated parts of the county and on county roads.

For incidents handled by the Alpena city police, contact that department separately. City police and county sheriff maintain different records systems. A FOIA request sent to the wrong agency will not return the record you need. Knowing which agency made the arrest is the first step.

88th District Court Hybrid DWI/Drug Court Program

Alpena County runs a specialized DWI court program through the 88th District Court. This program is notable because it serves two counties: Alpena and Montmorency. It is called the Hybrid DWI/Drug Court program.

The program targets repeat OWI offenders and people with identified substance use disorders. Participants agree to close supervision, frequent random testing, mandatory treatment, and regular appearances before the judge. The structure is demanding. It is meant to change behavior, not just punish it. Completing the program can lead to reduced penalties, but the process takes months.

Not everyone qualifies for DWI Court. The court screens applicants using charge history, substance use assessments, and risk evaluations. Call 989-354-9655 for current eligibility information. Keep in mind that participation in this program does not erase the underlying OWI charge. Court records showing the conviction will still appear in MiCOURT and ICHAT searches.

This type of specialized court is part of a broader Michigan push toward treatment-based responses to repeat drunk driving. Several other northern Michigan counties have similar programs in place.

Driving Records, License Status, and Road to Restoration

An OWI conviction in Alpena County creates two separate records: one in the court system and one with the Michigan Secretary of State. These are different documents. They are maintained by different agencies and serve different purposes.

The Michigan SOS driving record shows license actions linked to an OWI. A first OWI triggers a 30-day hard suspension followed by 150 days of restricted driving. A second OWI within 7 years brings a minimum 1-year revocation. A third offense within 10 years creates habitual offender status, which means a mandatory revocation with no fixed end date.

Implied consent matters too. Under MCL 257.625c, refusing a chemical test after an OWI arrest results in an automatic 1-year license suspension. This suspension is separate from criminal penalties. It shows on the driving record even if the OWI charge is later reduced or dismissed in court.

The Road to Restoration program helps people work through the license appeal process. The SOS offers free clinics. Attending one can clarify what steps are needed to restore a revoked license after OWI. It does not guarantee restoration, but it helps people understand their options and prepare their case.

The Michigan State Police Criminal History Record is another resource. Some employers and licensing boards require it rather than ICHAT. Both pull from the same underlying data but are formatted differently. OWI convictions show up on both.

Clean Slate, Expungement, and Corrections Records

Michigan's Clean Slate Act allows some first-time OWI offenders to petition for expungement. The waiting period is 5 years from sentencing, including any probation time. The conviction must be a misdemeanor. Felony OWI convictions do not qualify under Clean Slate.

Expungement is not automatic. A judge reviews the petition and has discretion to grant or deny it. During the waiting period, the person must stay out of legal trouble. Meeting the timeline is a minimum requirement, not a guarantee of approval.

If someone received a prison sentence for a felony OWI, you can check their custody status using the Michigan OTIS database. OTIS is the Department of Corrections offender tracking system. It is free and open to the public. Search by name or MDOC number.

For certified copies of court records from Alpena County cases, contact the 26th Circuit Court or 88th District Court clerk directly at 989-354-9655. Staff can tell you the current fee schedule and walk you through the request process. Certified copies are typically needed for legal proceedings or background checks that require official documentation.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Alpena County. Each has its own circuit and district courts handling OWI cases.